Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

Bronx Rep Promises to “Make Every Effort to Avoid Blocking the Bike Lane”

vanessa_gibson_block.jpgvanessa_gibson_placard.jpgThe rules don't apply to you if you've got one of these on the dash. Photos: Boogiedowner

Via Gothamist, here's a story that nicely encapsulates why parking placards should be completely abolished. On Monday, a Boogiedowner reader caught Bronx Assembly member Vanessa Gibson parking in the bike lane on the Grand Concourse, NYPD-issued placard on the dash for all to see. When the Bronx News Network asked Gibson to explain herself, she offered this apology:

The bike lane on the Grand Concourse has been a positive addition for alot of Bronx residents. As you know, there is a serious lack of parkingon the Grand Concourse, but I have always respected the bike lane andapologize for blocking it. In this instance, my car was left in thebike lane for a few moments while I was unloading supplies for mydistrict office. I realize that caused some inconvenience and will makeevery effort to avoid blocking the bike lane in the future.

A few refreshers. Forcing cyclists into traffic isn't just an "inconvenience," it endangers other people. The rate of injuries and deaths on the Grand Concourse led the Tri-State Transportation Campaign to name it the second most dangerous road in the Bronx last year. Also, as Transportation Alternatives' Wiley Norvell told the Bronx News Network, a placard on the dash doesn't make bike lane-blocking legal. But it's enough to intimidate traffic agents into not issuing a ticket.

Gibson, a freshman Assembly member who replaced her former boss, Aurelia Greene, after a special election last fall, didn't explain why she was using a police placard. Giving it up for good might help her keep the promise not to block the bike lane. It will still be tough to find a safe, legal place to park and unload stuff in front of the district office, so the next step would have be to putting in a request with the city for performance parking on the Grand Concourse.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

NYPD’s Push To Criminalize Cycling Spells Trouble For Immigrant Workers

Safety for the community? Great. But aren't delivery workers part of the community, too?

May 9, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Habemus Knicksum Edition

It was a big day yesterday, but we're not on the sports or the religion desk, so let's get to our news.

May 9, 2025

Friday Video: Who Ruined Outdoor Dining?

We sent our own video team to find out.

May 9, 2025

Decision 2025: Mayoral Hopefuls Discuss E-Bikes … With Joy and Concern

E-bikes are a vital tool for delivery workers and for people seeking to reduce their use of private cars. What would you do to both expand e-bike use and make streets safer? And the answers are...

Live from Albany: Hochul’s ‘Safety’ Measures Stripped from Budget

Lawmakers dropped three initiatives that Gov. Hochul said would have made roadways safer (though, as we'll see, that's very much in question). Let's review them.

May 9, 2025
See all posts